MAE 656 - Advanced

Computer Aided Design

01. Introduction Doc 05

Numerical Simulation
2D Solid Structures

Introduction
As we did with the bar elements (beams and trusses) we
want to find a relation between the displacements and the
forces in the structure:

If we cannot solve the continuum, we can try to find the solution for a
finite number of points!
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01.Intro Doc05

Introduction
To do so, we need an equation capable of relating the
forces and the displacements of a solid structure.
PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL WORK:

If, instead of solving a structural problem, we want to solve

another type of problem (i.e. fluid), we will need to use a
different equation (for the fluid case, Navier-Stokes)
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01.Intro Doc05

Introduction
Brief note on the Theory of Elasticity:
We will work with elastic materials. This means that there is
a linear relation between the strains and stresses of the
material:

1
1

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0
0

01.Intro Doc05

Introduction
D is the stiffness matrix of the material, which is defined as:

1
1

0
0

D is always symmetric, which means:

And, if the material is isotropic:

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2D FEM Formulation
We will develop the formulation for the 2D plane stress
problem. It is enough for our purpose, knowing how a FEM
code works, and the formulation is easier to follow.
In the 2D plane stress problem, the PVW can be rewritten
as:

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01.Intro Doc05

2D FEM Formulation
The FEM method discretizes the solid in a finite number of
elements.
And, the displacement field in those elements is discretized
by the displacement of a finite number of nodes

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2D FEM Formulation
If we get to know the displacements of the three nodes of
the element, it is possible to calculate the displacement of
any point of the element with a linear combination of these
three displacements:

Ni are the shape functions and, for a linear triangular

element, they look like this:

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01.Intro Doc05

2D FEM Formulation
and their expression is:
1
2

with:

Being xi and yi the coordinates of the element node i, and A

the element area.

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2D FEM Formulation
Before returning to the PVW, we will express the element
strains as a function of the point displacement.
with:

This can be written in matrix form as:

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2D FEM Formulation
Before returning to the PVW, we will express the element
strains as a function of the point displacement.
0
0

0
0

0
0

This is B = ELEMENT DEFORMATION MATRIX

Therefore,

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2D FEM Formulation
Using the shape functions defined previously, the element
deformation matrix becomes:
0
0

0
0

0
0

Note that B is divided in 3 matrices 3x2:

The number of rows correspond to the number of strain values (x, y
and xy)
The number of columns correspond to the dimension of the space
(2D), as we are integrating in x and y
Finally, the number of matrices correspond to the number of points
in which we discretize the Finite Element.
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2D FEM Formulation
Lets return to the PVW:

As the integrals are additive, we can apply it to a single

element and, afterwards, sum all elements. Therefore,

where,

with, a, the displacements of the nodes of

the element

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2D FEM Formulation
So, the PVW can be rewritten as:

As the a values are constants, they can be taken out of the

integrals:

And, as this expression has to be fulfilled for any possible

virtual displacement a. It can be removed from the
equation.
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2D FEM Formulation

The stresses can be replaced by:

Therefore,

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01.Intro Doc05

2D FEM Formulation
Defining,

as the element stiffness matrix. And,

as the vector of equivalent forces. We finally obtain:

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01.Intro Doc05

2D FEM Formulation
The final expression of the stiffness matrix is:

(6x6)

that can be divided in:

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(2x2)

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2D FEM Formulation
1
2

0
0

As all terms are constant, they can be taken out of the

integral. Obtaining, as final expression of the elemental
stiffness matrix:
0
4

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2D FEM Formulation
Once having calculated all stiffness matrices, they can be
assembled into the structure stiffness matrix as:

Row i

Row j
Row k
Column k

Now, each kij is a 2x2

matrix and we have a
total of 9 Kij matrices!

Column j
Column i

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Implementation (1/2)
Having defined all elements required to solve a 2D plane
stress structure with the FEM. The implementation in a code
should be as follows:
1.

Define the structure stiffness matrix.

Its size is = (2 x # nodes) x (2 x # nodes)

2.

For each material, compute the material stiffness matrix (D)

3.

For each element in the structure, compute the element

deformation matrix (B)

4.

Compute the element stiffness matrix (with B and D)

5.

Assemble the element stiffness matrix in the struct. stiffn. matrix

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Implementation (1/2)
6.

Define the load vector and the displacement vector

7.

Remove all rows and columns of the elements with displacement

equal to 0.0

8.

Solve the linear system of equations to obtain the displacements of

the structure

9.

Calculate the reactions of the structure

10. Once the displacements of all structure nodes are known, it is

possible to calculate the strains and stresses of each node using the
element deformation matrix (B)

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Conclusion
In order to solve the problem we need to know:
Material properties: Ex, Ey, xy, yx and G (with these we can
calculate D)
Element coordinates and connectivities (to calculate B and to
assemble the element). These is: solid geometry and FE mesh.
Boundary conditions: displacements and loads applied on nodes

Once knowing all these parameters, and having introduced

them in a FEM code, it is possible to perform a successful
calculation!

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Conclusion
It is important to know some basics of the formulation
required by each element. This will tell us what parameters
are required by the code:
Truss elements: To calculate the stiffness matrix the only parameter
necessary is the Area of the element
Beam elements: These elements require knowing their area, and also
their bending stiffness (inertia)
Solid Elements: These relate the strains and stresses with the material
stiffness matrix. This matrix is function of the elastic parameters of the
material. (a plane stress simulation also requires the element thickness)

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